By Martha Embry, Cycle NC enthusiast 

We arrived in Washington on Wednesday afternoon.  Within an hour, we felt like we belonged. My husband David and I were in town for the Cycle NC Coastal Ride.

At Backwater Jack’s, we met Brenda Bertrand, a live wire. Enthusiasm about a place is contagious, and we were excited to soak in all Washington has to offer.

“Where are you staying?” Brenda asked.

“Tonight, we’re staying with Attila. Tomorrow, we’re pitching our tent on the waterfront.”

Her face lit up. “You’re staying with Attila? He’s great! He’s a mechanic in Liane’s bike shop.”

Liane was bent over a bike. We greeted her by name and she looked up quizzically, then laughed and welcomed us when we said, “We just came from Brenda’s.”

With our gracious host, we enjoyed hot tea and conversation around Attila Nemecz’s dining room table, learning about his 1880’s house, Washington history and Washington today. “Oh, my gosh. It’s midnight already,” one of us said in surprise. We headed off to sleep, David and me in a comfortable bed and dark, quiet room we would dream about the next three nights.

We set up our tent under a tree across the sidewalk from the NC Estuarium.  When camping in town in a large group, a heap of tolerance and a sense of humor are imperative.  We fell asleep under lights to sounds of the river, conversation and snoring.

At 4:15 a.m., the street sweeper went slowly by . . . three times.  At 5:15, with much slamming and banging, a truck changed out the dumpsters.  Services don’t stop (nor should they) just because a bunch of bikers are camped on the lawn!

When, at 5:45, Chair City Cyclists camped next to us started their generator to brew their own coffee, we knew sleep was a lost cause. Grateful for shower trucks, we were soon in biking mode.

Still early, we walked to the Coffee Caboose. A little before 6:30, the door swung open and a bubbly voice said, “Come on in.” We stepped in to find Mary Anne Foy, cheerful and animated. She gave us the “coffee tour” and “history tour.” Soon other bikers wandered in and Mary Anne flitted from coffee to Danish to history and photos. We greeted Liane as she breezed in and out on her way to the shop. Attila sat and chatted a few minutes before heading out to help The Pamlico-Albemarle Wildlife Conservationists set up to serve breakfast. In town a day and we were among friends.

By 8:00, we were pedaling out of Washington, directing bikers already in need of mechanical services to Inner Banks Outfitters. “Liane will take care of you,” I told them, sounding like a regular.

Riding along farm fields with little traffic was a joy. Oncoming drivers, many in pickups, threw up a hand in greeting. A great day of riding.

In Washington, we learned from the River Roving Tour, found a map of the Civil War Siege in Brown Library, learned the county water system draws from the Castle Hayne aquifer and saw the murals and ship models of the Historic Port of Washington Project. And Rivah Time hosted by the Washington Tourism Development Authority was great fun!